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Drake’s NOCTA line is continuing to push deeper into performance sports culture, this time joining forces with NBA superstar Kevin Durant for a specialized apparel capsule. Designed to bridge the gap between high-level basketball utility and NOCTA’s signature street aesthetic, the NOCTA x Kevin Durant Collection delivers a complete head-to-toe lineup tailored for both on-court training and casual lifestyle wear.
The collection centers around a clean, high-contrast palette of deep navy, off-white, and bright optic yellow, incorporating technical fabrications built to withstand intense workouts:
Tech Fleece Warm-Up Suits: Co-branded hoodies and track pants outfitted with water-resistant zippers and custom silicone badging.
Performance Compression Gear: Moisture-wicking base layers, arm sleeves, and padded socks engineered specifically for court mobility.
Accessories: The capsule is rounded out by co-branded headbands, heavy-duty gym duffels, and custom basketballs featuring Durant’s signature.
The NOCTA x Kevin Durant capsule is scheduled for a global rollout across major retail channels on August 15, 2026 and will be available via NOCTA.com, the Nike SNKRS app, and select global Nike NBHD doors and boutique retailers. the apparel items range from MYR 185 ($45 USD) for performance accessories up to MYR 900 ($220 USD) for the flagship warm-up jackets.
OMODA & JAECOO Malaysia is proud to announce its appointment as the Official Automotive Partner of Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week (KLFW) 2026, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to premium experiences and contemporary lifestyle.
As part of the collaboration, OMODA & JAECOO Malaysia will present the first public preview of the highly anticipated OMODA C7 and OMODA C7 PHEV ahead of their official market launch.
SOURCE: OMODA | JAECOO
Marketing Director, OMODA & JAECOO Malaysia, Jackie Chua said, “OMODA vehicles have always stood apart through futuristic design, performance and technology-forward appeal that resonates with today’s modern consumers. Our partnership with Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week 2026 reflects our commitment to innovation, creativity and contemporary lifestyle.”
“Being named the Official Automotive Partner of Malaysia’s premier fashion event places the brand proudly at the intersection of automotive innovation and high fashion, further reinforcing the premium positioning and growing desirability of the OMODA & JAECOO vehicles,” she added.
Designed for a new generation of style-conscious and technology-driven customers, the OMODA C7 reflects OMODA’s commitment to delivering vehicles that seamlessly blend fashion, innovation and everyday practicality.
Set against the stylish backdrop of Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week 2026, taking place from 3rd to 9th August 2026 at the Esplanade, KLCC Park, the OMODA C7 and OMODA C7 PHEV will make their first public appearance in Malaysia.
SOURCE: OMODA | JAECOO
The all-new OMODA C7 represents the next evolution of OMODA’s signature “Art in Motion” design philosophy, combining sculpted surfaces, a bold frameless front fascia and aerodynamic proportions into a contemporary crossover that is both expressive and sophisticated.
The SUV showcases OMODA’s bold design language through its distinctive shark-nose front fascia, sleek LED lighting elements and body-coloured parametric grille. A signature illuminated hexagonal lighting motif further enhances its futuristic appearance, while 20-inch turbine-style alloy wheels complete its striking stance, delivering a confident presence on the road.
The OMODA C7 will be offered with two powertrain options, catering to a wide range of driving preferences.
Customers can choose between a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with a seven-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT), or the OMODA C7 PHEV, which features OMODA & JAECOO’s proven Super Hybrid System (SHS). The plug-in hybrid variant combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine with a Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT), delivering outstanding efficiency and exceptional real-world driving range.
SOURCE: OMODA | JAECOO
Inside, the OMODA C7 offers a premium, technology-centric cabin designed around connectivity, comfort and everyday convenience. A minimalist dashboard is complemented by a 15.6-inch infotainment display, premium interior materials and thoughtful convenience features, including a 50W wireless smartphone charger, creating a refined and sophisticated driving experience.
Complementing the vehicle showcase, OMODA & JAECOO Malaysia will also unveil a special collaboration with BEHATI, a contemporary Malaysian fashion label renowned for blending traditional Malaysian cultural attire with modern, avant-garde streetwear style. The exclusive collaboration celebrates bold creativity and forward-thinking design, mirroring the progressive model philosophy of the OMODA C7.
SOURCE: OMODA | JAECOO
Visitors can get up close with the OMODA C7 and OMODA C7 PHEV and experience the future of OMODA through an immersive showcase during the public roadshow, held from 3rd to 9th August 2026 at Suria KLCC.
For more information on the OMODA C7 and other brand activities, follow OMODA & JAECOO Malaysia on its official social media platforms or visit the OMODA & JAECOO Malaysia website.
Nearly a year after police found a decomposing body in his abandoned car, American singer D4vd will go to trial for murder. The “Romantic Homicide” singer is accused of murdering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.
Earlier this week, Los Angeles Judge Charlaine Olmedo ruled that there is enough evidence to put D4vd on trial for the killing and dismemberment of Celeste. Over the past few days, the singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, has been in the preliminary hearing for his involvement in the case.
SOURCES: TWITTER (@Complex & @PopBase)
To recap, back in September 2025, police found the teenager’s decomposing and dismembered body in an abandoned Tesla that belonged to D4vd. Forensic investigations suggest that Celeste died several months before. During the hearing, prosecutors alleged that she died on 23rd April 2025 after D4vd fatally stabbed her.
After months of investigation, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office formally charged D4vd in April 2026 with first-degree murder, sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains. As D4vd’s preliminary hearing went on, more and more claims against the singer emerged.
According to reports, D4vd allegedly impregnated Celeste when she was 13 and forced her to get an abortion. Authorities believed that the singer had killed the teen because she threatened to expose him for having a sexual relationship with a minor, which would destroy his rising music career. After fatally stabbing her, he allegedly dismembered her body using a chainsaw.
SOURCES: TWITTER (@sweatermeather & @Complex)
D4vd is due to appear in court on 31st August 2026 (Monday) for his arraignment. The judge has ordered the murder trial to begin within 90 days, or as soon as 60 days, from the arraignment date. If convicted as charged, the singer faces the death penalty or life in state prison without the possibility of parole.
The star has pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Shockingly, when the judge issued her ruling, D4vd reportedly showed no emotions, watching calmly and intently as he had throughout the proceedings. Reports say he appeared stoic even when the prosecutors presented evidence of his relationship with Celeste.
Online, netizens have shared their reactions to the case, mostly expressing horror at the new details and evidence. For now, we can only wait for the trial to proceed to find out what will happen to D4vd. Regardless, we hope justice will prevail for Celeste.
Tourism Selangor successfully concluded the Selangor Travel Fair (STF) 2026, held on 25th and 26th July 2026 at Central Market, Kuala Lumpur, further reinforcing its commitment to promoting Selangor as Malaysia’s premier tourism destination while sustaining the momentum of the Visit Selangor Year 2026 (VSY2026) campaign.
Over the two-day event, Selangor Travel Fair 2026 attracted more than 50,000 visitors and generated total sales exceeding RM150,000, demonstrating the effectiveness of the fair as a tourism promotion platform and a catalyst for the growth of Selangor’s tourism economy.
SOURCE: TOURISM SELANGOR
Serving as a one-stop tourism showcase, STF 2026 brought together tourism products, attractions, hospitality brands and industry partners to offer exclusive promotions, engaging experiences and opportunities for visitors to discover the best that Selangor has to offer. This year’s edition featured 40 tourism exhibitors representing various tourism segments, including theme parks, ecotourism, agritourism, heritage, gastronomy, hospitality and recreational attractions.
During the launch ceremony, YB Dato’ Ng Suee Lim, Selangor State Executive Councillor for Local Government and Tourism, highlighted the importance of STF in strengthening tourism promotion efforts and boosting visitor confidence in the diverse tourism offerings available throughout the state.
“Selangor Travel Fair is an important platform to strengthen tourism promotion efforts, showcase the diverse experiences available in Selangor and further reinforce the state’s position as the most visited destination in Malaysia. This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment towards achieving the target of nine million tourists in conjunction with Visit Selangor Year 2026,” he said.
SOURCE: TOURISM SELANGOR
SOURCE: TOURISM SELANGOR
This year’s fair also marked a significant milestone for Tourism Selangor as the agency celebrated its 25th Silver Jubilee Anniversary, commemorating a quarter-century of driving tourism industry growth, destination development and strategic collaborations that have elevated Selangor’s tourism profile both domestically and internationally.
According to Tourism Selangor Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Chua Yee Ling, the theme “Silver in Motion” symbolises 25 years of progress and Tourism Selangor’s continuing journey towards building a more sustainable, innovative and competitive tourism ecosystem.
“Over the past 25 years, Tourism Selangor has worked closely with industry players and strategic partners to develop tourism products, organise high-impact events and promote Selangor’s unique offerings. As we celebrate this milestone, our focus remains on shaping the future of Selangor tourism and delivering meaningful experiences to both domestic and international visitors,” she said.
SOURCE: TOURISM SELANGOR
SOURCE: TOURISM SELANGOR
Throughout the two-day event, visitors enjoyed a wide range of activities, including cultural performances, traditional music showcases, creative workshops, videography sessions, free health screenings under the medical tourism segment, interactive tourism experiences, live podcasts and exclusive travel promotions. The event was further enlivened by performances from local artistes including Wani Kayrie, Mohsein Kush, Puteri Haffira (Ella Junior), Hussain Jamalulhayat, Mamat Exists and Kumpulan Bob Sentuhan.
Among the key highlights of STF 2026 was the launch of the Selangor Sketch-Stop book, a collaborative project between Tourism Selangor and local illustrators Ann Jaafar, Baihaqi Ismail and Ichie Imran. The fair also featured various exhibitions, demonstrations and family-friendly tourism-related activities.
Tourism Selangor also recorded its appreciation to the strategic partners that contributed to the success of this year’s event, including Farm Fresh, AVIS Budget Malaysia, FAMSY, Tourism Malaysia Central Region, Perbadanan Adat Melayu dan Warisan Negeri Selangor (PADAT), Media Selangor, Batik Air and Sinemalis Studio. Their support helped enhance the visitor experience and strengthen Selangor’s tourism ecosystem.
SOURCE: TOURISM SELANGOR
Tourism continues to play a vital role in Selangor’s economic growth. In 2025, Selangor recorded 36.4 million domestic visitors, maintaining its position as Malaysia’s most visited state for the fifth consecutive year since 2021. During the same period, Selangor achieved a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of RM460.1 billion, contributing 26.5% to the national economy, with tourism remaining one of the key drivers of growth in the services sector.
STF 2026 also marked the official launch of the “Surprising Selangor Kan Ada” theme song and special music video, forming part of Tourism Selangor’s ongoing efforts to strengthen tourism promotion through a creative and community-centric approach. The music video reflects Tourism Selangor’s 25-year journey in developing the state’s tourism industry while celebrating the spirit of unity, dedication and commitment of its employees, whose contributions have been instrumental to the organisation’s success. The public can watch the music video on Tourism Selangor’s official YouTube channel.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that ATEEZ (μμ΄ν°μ¦), more specifically San (μ°), has been garnering attention with their “BAD” dance challenge. Well, they recently made more waves with the challenge, thanks to TWICE’s (νΈμμ΄μ€) main dancer Momo (λͺ¨λͺ¨).
On 27th July 2026 (Monday), ATEEZ’s official social media pages unveiled San and Momo’s collaboration for the “BAD” challenge. In the video, the two idols danced to the song’s viral dance break, which has taken social media by storm. The dance break centres on San and has been gaining momentum online, specifically for the chest-popping move.
In the video, the two dancers showed off their impeccable skills, hitting every move with ease. It’s also worth noting that the two were dressed casually, with San wearing a fitted black t-shirt and Momo wearing a black tank top. However, the outfit choice accentuated their physique, making their sharp dance moves more apparent.
Within 12 hours, the video has amassed over 3 million views on TikTok and 8 million on Instagram, highlighting the public’s interest in San and Momo’s collaboration. The comment sections were filled with ATINYs (ATEEZ fans) and ONCEs (TWICE fans) reacting to the video, unsurprisingly ecstatic over the collaboration.
Many quipped that they were hooked right from the beginning, when San’s broad shoulders easily covered Momo’s entire frame. Along with praises for their complementary dance moves, fans and netizens also praised the two stars’ visuals, with some joking that the entire video is a feast for the eyes.
Since ATEEZ’s comeback in late June, many have taken part in the dance challenge. One of San’s fancams from the comeback has also gained over 2 million views, highlighting a broader interest in the choreography. However, despite many other male idols trying to replicate San’s viral dance break, many fans quipped that no one has been able to outdo the original.
Of course, San and Momo’s collaboration will only add to the virality of “BAD”, bringing more attention to the song and the choreography. What are your thoughts on the two idols’ take on the dance challenge? In the meantime, check out the “BAD” music video and San’s viral fancam below:
Maaedicare Charitable Foundation successfully hosted its annual fundraising gala, “A Night of Hope & Healing: Shine a Light, Save a Life”, bringing together corporate partners, donors, distinguished guests and supporters in a shared commitment to ensuring quality healthcare remains accessible to Malaysians in need.
Funds raised from the gala will support the Foundation’s charitable healthcare initiatives, including subsidised dialysis treatment, patient assistance programmes, the replacement of ageing dialysis machines, affordable cardiac diagnostic services, free primary healthcare through Klinik Amal Percuma, and community-based Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) screening programmes that promote early detection and prevention.
SOURCE: MAAEDICARE
Chairman of Maaedicare Charitable Foundation, Yang Mulia Tunku Dato’ Yaacob Khyra, highlighted that Malaysia’s evolving healthcare landscape requires charitable healthcare organisations to move beyond treating illness and place greater emphasis on prevention, early intervention and sustainable healthcare delivery.
“Healthcare today is no longer solely about treating illness after it occurs. It is about investing in prevention, expanding access to quality care and ensuring that financial hardship never becomes a barrier to essential healthcare. Every contribution made tonight strengthens our ability to respond to Malaysia’s evolving healthcare needs while remaining steadfast in our commitment to delivering compassionate, high-quality care,” he said.
He also highlighted the Foundation’s continued commitment to clinical excellence and innovation, including the implementation of ultrasound-guided cannulation across all eleven dialysis centres, reinforcing Maaedicare’s belief that affordability should never come at the expense of quality healthcare.
SOURCE: MAAEDICARE
Chief Executive Officer of Maaedicare Charitable Foundation, Ms. Anne Rajasaikaran, said every contribution made during the gala would have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of patients and their families. “Every contribution made this evening represents far more than financial support. It helps a patient continue life-saving dialysis, access essential medication, travel to treatment and receive the care they need with dignity. More importantly, it gives hope to individuals and families facing one of life’s most difficult journeys,” she said.
Ms. Anne added that Maaedicare’s commitment to accessible kidney care continues today, with almost 770 active dialysis patients receiving treatment across eleven charity dialysis centres in nine states. Over the past decade, the Foundation has delivered more than 1.2 million dialysis treatments, while its Cardiac Diagnostic Centre has recorded more than 13,000 patient visits and its three Klinik Amal Percuma collectively serve approximately 8,000 patients annually.
“In recent years, we have strengthened our focus on preventive healthcare through affordable cardiac diagnostic services, community-based CKD screening programmes and the establishment of our third Klinik Amal Percuma in Nilai. These initiatives reflect our belief that healthcare should not begin only when illness becomes critical, but through early detection, timely intervention and accessible primary care,” she said.
SOURCE: MAAEDICARE
The gala was graced by Her Highness Dato’ Seri DiRaja, Tan Sri Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz Binti Almarhum Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’Adzam Shah, Tunku Temenggong Kedah, and Yang Berhormat Tuan P. Prabakaran, Member of Parliament for Batu. Also in attendance were Datuk Dr. Thirunavukarasu Rajoo, President of the Malaysian Medical Association, Datuk Dr. Kuljit Singh, President of the Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia, together with corporate partners, sponsors, donors and distinguished guests.
Since its establishment in 1994, Maaedicare Charitable Foundation has grown into one of Malaysia’s leading charitable healthcare organisations, operating eleven dialysis centres across nine states, Malaysia’s only charitable Cardiac Diagnostic Centre and three Klinik Amal Percuma. The Foundation continues to expand its preventive healthcare efforts through community-based CKD screening programmes and strategic partnerships aimed at improving early detection, reducing the burden of chronic disease and ensuring that more Malaysians receive timely access to affordable healthcare.
SOURCE: MAAEDICARE
The overwhelming support for “A Night of Hope & Healing: Shine a Light, Save a Life” reflects the collective power of compassion, partnership and generosity. Together, these contributions will help ensure that more Malaysians have access to life-saving treatment, preventive healthcare and quality medical services regardless of their financial circumstances.
Marvel took over the whole convention and San Diego this year. A Hall H presentation closed out the weekend with Kevin Feige back in full command, and all of it is rather tantalising considering Marvel’s absence last year.
Worth remembering that Marvel skipping Hall H isn’t actually rare, they sat out 2025 outright to keep the “Avengers: Doomsday” cast in production. So the return this year carried some weight, but it also came without the pressure of a full Phase reveal. No sprawling slate of twelve new projects, no overwhelming multi-year timeline dump. Just two films, a handful of surprises, and a lot of room to actually let each reveal land.
Honestly, it’s a relief… And probably the smarter move anyway, given how announced projects can quietly fall apart before they ever reach a screen. We haven’t forgotten about you, “Blade.”
Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney
That’s not to say Marvel isn’t thinking big picture. Around the same time as the convention, Kevin Feige told press during a Shanghai tour that Marvel Studios has been mapping out potential movies “all the way up to 2042,” while immediately tempering it himself: “Whether we can make it to 2042? Who knows? Will it be those movies? Who knows? But this is how we approach and plan the vast amount of potential stories in the comics.” So the long-term vision is very much there, Marvel’s just choosing to dole it out in smaller, more digestible pieces these days rather than one giant Hall H info-dump.
Here’s the full rundown, from the booth floor to the Hall H stage.
A Witchy Mystery
Now, here’s one game they’ve been playing to keep our fan brains occupied.
Days before the Hall H panel, Marvel had some of the costumes from the movie up as exhibits. There were Captain America, Invisible Woman, Namor… But they’d also quietly planted a “Latverian Witch” costume at its booth, and then proceeded to change its colour every single day.
Source: Reddit
By the time a third witch costume showed up on Friday, this had become the actual main character of pre-Hall H SDCC discourse. It was green on Wednesday. Orange the next day. A vivid purple by Friday. Same silhouette every time. It was a hooded cloak, a silver face mask, and a belt with an unexplained silver diamond buckle.
Indeed, there’s no “Latverian witch” in the comics, so fans immediately started building theories. Simply put, we’re thinking of the existing magicians in the MCU. Scarlet Witch, perhaps? Maybe Agatha Harkness? Clea? Sylvie?
The costume’s design leans hard on Doctor Doom’s visual language, and the timeline lines up with a comics arc where Doom kidnaps and brainwashes Wanda Maximoff.
Combine that with gold symbols spotted on the later Doctor Doom booth costume (with details such as a hammer and a star embedded on it, very much Thor and Captain Marvel-coded), and the fan theory snowballed into: Doom isn’t working alone in “Doomsday”; he’s got a coven.
Marvel never confirmed anything outright, of course. But everyone walked into Hall H already primed to look for witches.
“Avengers: Endgame” Is Coming Back To Theatres
Source: @AvengersUpdated
Before we even got to “Doomsday,” Feige opened with a nostalgia bomb. “Avengers: Endgame” is returning to theatres on September 25, and it won’t just be a straight re-release. There’s brand new footage attached, clearly designed to set the stage for what’s coming in “Avengers: Doomsday.”
“2019 was a very long time ago,” Feige told the crowd. “The world’s a different place. But reminding all of us what it was like to be in that theatre, cheering along and enjoying that crazy enthusiasm, is why we’re rereleasing ‘Avengers: Endgame.'”
Smart move, honestly. Get everyone back in their feelings before December.
Ryan Gosling Is Ghost Rider
Source: Marvel Studios & Deadline
After years of speculation, Marvel confirmed a brand new “Ghost Rider” film with Ryan Gosling in the lead, directed by Shawn Levy (who most recently did “Deadpool & Wolverine” with Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman). It’s set for 2028.
Levy explained the whole thing started as a side conversation. “We spent a lot of time last year making ‘Star Wars: Starfighter.’ And as Ryan started talking about his vision for this character, we started riffing, and I finally said, ‘Bro, let’s ride.'”
Zero details on which Ghost Rider we’re getting (Johnny Blaze? Robbie Reyes? A brand new rider entirely?), but we’re already thinking about how insane the visual language of a flaming skull could look with Levy behind the camera.
Also, it’s pretty funny how Shawn Levy is directing two films in the MCU with Ryans in the lead. Time to get a Ryanair sponsorship perhaps?
“Spider-Man: Brand New Day” Got A Sneak Peek
With the film swinging into theatres on July 31, Jon Bernthal popped up to tease exclusive footage focused on the dynamic between his Frank Castle (Punisher) and Tom Holland’s Peter Parker (Spider-Man), as the pair go up against Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk. We’re still spoiler-cautious about the wider plot, but the shape of the scene itself is too good not to break down.
The clip opens mid-fight, with Hulk absolutely wrecking Spider-Man the moment a couple of grenades get thrown into the mix. That’s when Frank shows up to help. Spidey isn’t thrilled about it. “Frank, what are you doing? This is above your pay grade. It’s the Hulk!” Frank empties a full clip into Hulk anyway. Predictably, nothing happens.
Spider-Man squares up against the Hulk in “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” | Source: Sony Pictures
Then comes the standout shot of the whole clip. Spider-Man webs Frank and slides him across the floor in slow motion so he can take potshots at Hulk from ground level. It’s genuinely one of the coolest single images from the footage. Spidey webs Hulk down, Frank tosses a small disc at him, Hulk catches it (Hulk asking “are you kidding?” got one of the biggest laughs in the room), and Frank shoots the disc mid-air, sending Hulk flying back.
The two duck behind a table to regroup, and that’s when the banter kicks in. Frank was supposed to be guarding MJ (Zendaya), but MJ apparently told him to protect Spidey instead. Spider-Man is very obviously delighted by this. “Did she actually say that?” “Are you blushing, daffodil?” Frank fires back. They start arguing strategy, Spidey mentions he’s got a device that could actually stop Hulk, and Frank suddenly finds an excuse to go do something else. Spidey isn’t having it. “Are you just trying to get out of fighting the Hulk?”
And it’s here that the footage ends. Guess we’ll have to find out what comes next when the movie releases this week!
“Avengers: Doomsday” Brought Out Basically Everyone
Source: Marvel.com
This was always going to be the centrepiece, and it delivered. Directors Joe and Anthony Russo brought out the cast in full force, split across two stages at the back of the hall, one marked with an X and the other with the Avengers symbol. We’re talking Rebecca Romijn, Kelsey Grammer, James Marsden, Lewis Pullman, Tenoch Huerta, David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Simu Liu, Danny Ramirez, Anthony Mackie, Paul Rudd, Pedro Pascal, Hayley Atwell, Chris Evans, and Robert Downey Jr., all uniting for a massive crowd selfie.
Downey took the mic while the entire hall (now decked out in their Doom masks and capes) turned green under the lights. “It’s not easy being green,” he said. “I need a lot of help. I need this whole family around me to finally assist me in being an arch-enemy, which is daunting.”
He also looked back on his Doctor Doom reveal from the same stage back in 2024. “When y’all had faith in me two years ago, you lifted me up, and I think we made something real special. But decisions will have to be made. Perhaps you’re on the side of the good guys, or perhaps you’ll have to consider the alternative.”
And then, because Marvel panels always need one chaos moment, a grey denim-clad Deadpool appeared in the audience, revealed to be Ryan Reynolds in full costume, who proceeded to grill the cast with questions before very clearly angling for a spot in the movie. At one point, he turned to Paul Rudd, completely deadpan, and just asked him why Thor was crying. Rudd clapped back with a Wrexham FC joke…
But anyway, is anyone here thinking Marvel is making a sly reference to Jean Gray?
Then came the footage, and it was the kind of thing that had the whole hall dead silent. It opens on Victor von Doom (Robert Downey Jr.), in full costume, sitting on a golden throne, the ground beneath him pulsing with green energy. Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) narrates over it: “Victor was always the smartest guy in every room. He used to be different. Then everything he loved was taken from him.”
He’s framed in front of the same painting from the teaser poster. “I knew he was lost, but didn’t realise he was broken,” she continues, and we see she’s saying all this directly to a room full of the assembled heroes.
Source: Marvel Studios
The footage then flies over a completely levelled city. Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), sounding genuinely horrified, asks, “Victor. Did you do this?” We get quick cuts across the ensemble, including a crying Magneto (Ian McKellen), Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), and Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) holding a baby. “All of you have lived storied lives,” Victor says. “And now you must give them back.”
Victor leaps off a building and sticks a full superhero landing on the ground below. Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is already there, swinging Stormbreaker at him. “I swear you’ll beg for Hell when I’m through with you,” Thor says. Victor stops the swing with a single finger. Thor keeps pushing, gets nowhere, and Victor casually flicks him back with a burst of green energy. “Hell answers to me,” Victor says, raising an army of Sentinels straight out of the ground around him.
That’s the whole clip, and it’s easily one of the most menacing Marvel villain reveals we’ve seen on screen. Doctor Doom isn’t being set up as a guy to root against reluctantly. He’s being set up as an actual, unambiguous threat, and going by the reaction in the room, it worked.
“Avengers: Doomsday” hits theatres on December 18.
A New “Black Panther” Film Is Officially Happening
Image credit: Photo: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney
Ryan Coogler returned to the Hall H stage himself to confirm he’s directing a third “Black Panther” film, joined by Letitia Wright and Winston Duke. The bigger reveal, though, was casting. David Jonsson (“The Long Walk,” “Alien: Romulus”) is stepping in as the new Black Panther, playing the son of T’Challa (the late Chadwick Boseman). The film will follow him “growing up” and “coming of age” into the mantle, and it’s set to hit theatres on December 15, 2028.
Coogler also confirmed the film will be partially shot on IMAX 70mm, making it the first Marvel Studios movie ever shot on actual film rather than digitally. Smart move, honestly, especially given the year Marvel’s had on the format. Both “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” and “Avengers: Doomsday” got squeezed out of IMAX screens in their respective release windows this year, first by Universal’s “The Odyssey” locking down an exclusive three-week IMAX run, then by “Dune: Part Three” securing IMAX exclusivity for their shared December 18 opening weekend. Getting “Black Panther 3” shot natively on 70mm, the same format Coogler used for “Sinners,” is a real way to build IMAX goodwill back into the pipeline well ahead of release, rather than scrambling for premium screens at the last minute again.
Jonsson got a standing ovation when he walked out. “I want to say thank you so much. Thank you, Ryan, thank you, Kevin, thank you to this amazing family that I have the honour and the privilege and the blessing to join. I actually don’t want to say too much because I want to let the screen do the talking. But believe me, the honour is entirely mine.”
What Didn’t Get A Mention
No “Avengers: Secret Wars” news.
No updates on the MCU’s X-Men reboot.
“VisionQuest” only got a passing mention with no real details attached.
If you were hoping for a full Phase 7 roadmap, you’ll have to wait.
Disney’s D23 Expo kicks off August 14, and more announcements are expected there.
